“There is no more astonishing career in history than that of the founder of this religion (Islam) and scarcely any man has more profoundly influenced the destinies of the world. He was, of course, favoured by circumstances, but he knew how to turn them to his purposes, and he faced adversity with the determination to wring success out of failure. While he could not have succeeded in another place or at another time, it is tolerably certain that no one could have succeeded at all.”
E.E. Kellet, A Short History of Religions (London, 1933) p. 333
“He was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels.”
Dr. Michael H. Hart, The 100, New York, 1978
All irreligious forces joined together to defeat the Prophet of Islam. In spite of this fact, his success has no equivalent in human history. This extraordinary victory was achieved by him through special divine help.
God has thus provided a historical example to show people that, finally, only those will succeed who follow the true, divine path: those who tread other paths, shall be left in a state of despair and dejection in the world of God in the life to come. □
It is self-destruction not to give one’s life
and property for the cause of God
The expedition to Constantinople was led by Abdul Rahman, the son of Khalid lbn Walid. Abu lmran was one of the soldiers. ‘A huge Roman army came out to meet us,’ he says. ‘A Muhajir broke out from our force and attacked them, causing chaos in their ranks. On seeing this, some of us said that he had, with his own hands, cast himself to destruction.’ Abu Ayub Ansari was in our army. “We Ansari know more about that verse,” he said: “it was revealed concerning us. When God helped His Prophet, and Islam became supreme, some of us Ansar suggested that we take out properties back from the Muhajirs of Makkah. That was when this verse of Quran was revealed: ‘Give for the cause of God and do not with your own hands cast yourselves to destruction.’ SeIf-destruction, then, is to consolidate one’s wealth, and to cease struggling for the faith.
